How to Save a Baby Rhino

Thankfully, a group of rangers found the little rhino. They rushed her to the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. That’s a place where experts care for sick and injured animals. They help the animals heal and get healthy before bringing them back to the wild.

At the center, caretakers worked around the clock to save the rhino’s life. “It was almost too late,” says Lisa Strauss, one of the caretakers.

They bundled the baby rhino with warm blankets. They fed her milk every two hours. They slept next to her so she wouldn’t feel alone. They also gave her a name: Ntombi (n-TOHM-bee). It means “young girl” in Zulu. That’s a language spoken in South Africa.

Three days later, Ntombi lifted her head and opened her sparkling black eyes. She was going to live!

But Strauss and the others knew that her recovery was just beginning. To heal, Ntombi needed to feel safe and loved. Having a friend could help.

“No injured, scared baby animal ever wants to be alone,” says Strauss. “A little bit of friendship makes getting better a whole lot less scary.”

Thankfully, a group of rangers found the little rhino. They rushed her to the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. That’s a place where experts care for sick and hurt animals. They help the animals heal and get healthy. Then they bring them back to the wild.

At the center, caretakers worked around the clock. They worked to save the rhino. “It was almost too late,” says Lisa Strauss. She’s one of the caretakers.

They bundled the baby rhino with warm blankets. They fed her milk every two hours. They slept next to her so she wouldn’t feel alone. They also gave her a name. It was Ntombi (n-TOHM-bee). It means “young girl” in Zulu. That’s a language spoken in South Africa.

Three days passed. Ntombi lifted her head. She opened her shiny black eyes. She was going to live!

But Strauss and the others knew it would be a long recovery. Ntombi needed to feel safe and loved to heal. Having a friend could help.

“No injured, scared baby animal ever wants to be alone,” says Strauss. “A little bit of friendship makes getting better a whole lot less scary.”

Luckily, at a nearby farm, there was an animal that was playful, friendly, and covered in a thick layer of wool. He was a sheep named Frank!

Frank was a similar size and shape as Ntombi. So he wouldn’t scare the young rhino. The caretakers thought he would be a great companion for her!

Sheep also eat grass. Frank could teach Ntombi how to graze. The rhino would need this skill as she grew and stopped drinking milk. And Frank was very calm. Being around a relaxed sheep could help Ntombi feel calm too.

Plus, Frank had become friends with another injured young rhino at the center before. That rhino had recovered and had returned to the wild. The caretakers hoped Frank could work his friendship magic again.

Would Frank and Ntombi get along?

Luckily, there was an animal at a nearby farm. He was playful and friendly. He was covered in a thick layer of wool. He was a sheep named Frank!

Frank was a similar size and shape as Ntombi. So Frank wouldn’t scare her. The caretakers thought he would be a great companion for her!

Sheep also eat grass. Frank could teach Ntombi how to graze. The rhino would need this skill as she grew and stopped drinking milk. And Frank was very calm. Being around Frank could help Ntombi feel calm too.

Plus, Frank had done this before. He had become friends with another injured young rhino at the center. That rhino had recovered and was returned to the wild. The caretakers hoped Frank could work his friendship magic again.

Would Frank and Ntombi get along?

Strauss and the other caretakers went to the farm where Frank lived. They asked if they could bring Frank back to the center. The farmers agreed. Finally, it was time for the sheep and the young rhino to meet!

The caretakers led Frank to the outdoor area where the rhino lived. At first, the caretakers placed a fence between Frank and Ntombi. The fence would help the two animals feel safe during their first meeting.

Right away, the rhino was curious about the sheep. The sheep was curious too! Ntombi and Frank got close and sniffed each other.

A few days later, the caretakers let the animals meet without the fence. But this time, Ntombi totally ignored Frank. Frank also kept his distance. The sheep chomped on grass far away from the rhino. The two animals didn’t trust each other—yet.

Strauss and the other caretakers went to the farm where Frank lived. They asked if they could bring Frank back to the center. The farmers agreed. Finally, it was time for the sheep and the young rhino to meet!

The caretakers took Frank to Ntombi’s outdoor area where she lived. The caretakers placed a fence between Frank and Ntombi at first. The fence would help the two animals feel safe during their first meeting.

Right away, the rhino was curious about the sheep. The sheep was curious too! Ntombi and Frank got close and sniffed each other.

The caretakers let the animals meet without the fence a few days later. But this time, Ntombi totally ignored Frank. Frank also stayed away. The sheep chomped on grass far away from the rhino. The two animals didn’t trust each other yet.

For the next few weeks, Ntombi and Frank continued ignoring each other. Then one day, the caretakers moved Ntombi to a different part of the center. The young rhino was nervous about the new place. She moved around slowly and stayed close to her caretakers.

But then, the caretakers brought in a sheep with a familiar face. It was Frank! The little rhino ran right to Frank’s side.

From that day on, Ntombi and Frank were never apart. “They were best friends after that,” says Strauss.

For the next few weeks, Ntombi and Frank continued to stay away from each other. Then one day, the caretakers moved Ntombi to a different part of the center. The young rhino was nervous about the new place. She moved around slowly and stayed close to her caretakers.

But then, the caretakers brought in a sheep with a familiar face. It was Frank! The little rhino ran right to Frank’s side.

From that day on, Ntombi and Frank were never apart. “They were best friends after that,” says Strauss.

So what did the two friends do? They went on walks, side by side. They spent hours playing, taking turns chasing one another. Sometimes the rhino wiped mud on Frank’s wool. (He didn’t seem to mind!) And they took naps, curling up together on soft hay.

Soon Ntombi began learning new skills. After seeing Frank graze, Ntombi started copying him and eating grass.

Frank also helped Ntombi to be brave. “Having Frank around gave Ntombi enough courage to walk around and explore,” says Strauss.

The two friends went on walks together. They walked side by side. They spent hours playing. They took turns chasing one another. Sometimes the rhino wiped mud on Frank’s wool. (He didn’t seem to mind!) And they took naps. They curled up on soft hay.

Soon Ntombi began learning new skills. Ntombi watched Frank graze. She started copying him and eating grass.

Frank also helped Ntombi to be brave. Strauss says that having Frank around gave Ntombi enough courage to walk around and explore.

By early 2024, Ntombi was doing much better. She was bigger and stronger. She didn’t need to drink milk anymore. She was grazing like an adult rhino would. And thanks to her time with Frank, she was calm and happy.

It had been almost two years since Ntombi was rescued. The caretakers thought the rhino was ready to return to the wild where she belonged.

On May 12, 2024, Strauss and the other caretakers loaded Ntombi onto a truck. They drove her to a grassy field near where she had been found. Slowly, Ntombi got used to her new environment. By now, she is probably with a new group of rhinos.

As for Frank? He went back to the farm—for a while. Recently, caretakers brought him back to the center. Another baby rhino needed help!

Friendships like Frank and Ntombi’s show how having a good pal by our side can help us through tough times. “Everyone needs a buddy every now and again,” says Strauss.

By early 2024, Ntombi was doing much better. She was bigger and stronger. She didn’t need to drink milk anymore. She was grazing like
an adult rhino would. She was calm and happy because she had spent time with Frank.

It had been almost two years since Ntombi was rescued. The caretakers thought the rhino was ready to go back to the wild. It was where she belonged.

On May 12, 2024, Strauss and the other caretakers put Ntombi onto a truck. They drove her to a grassy field. It was near where she had been found. Ntombi slowly got used to her new environment. By now, she is probably with a new group of rhinos.

Frank went back to the farm for a while. Then caretakers brought him back to the center. Another baby rhino needed help!

Friendships like Frank and Ntombi’s are important. They teach us how a good pal can help us through tough times. “Everyone needs a buddy every now and again,” says Strauss.